Financial Mail causes a stink over Prime Minister's 'skunk'

David Cameron wants us all to use the internet to hold him to account - and Financial Mail's first attempt has uncovered a breach of the law and a Government cover-up.

The Prime Minister has long wished to use digital technology to transform the way government works. He aims to publish all spending over £25,000, along with the terms of every contract, to provide the tools for 'genuine people power'.

Last week the Government published its business plans for various departments for 2011-2015 on the Downing Street website, which informs devoted followers: 'IT skunk works [are] in place'.

Secret: Lockheed Martin's symbol

This refers to the Tory pledge to create a maverick research and
development team to deliver low-cost IT applications in-house and
provide advice on procurement of large projects.

It is also a term used for projects carried out in one part of a company without the knowledge of the rest of the company.

Perhaps Cameron's advisers thoght it made the Government sound
cutting edge. The term 'skunk works' was originally used by aviation
group Lockheed Martin to refer to its secret aircraft development arm.

It is carefully guarded by the American aircraft manufacturer, which
has registered the term and the skunk symbol with the US patent office
and around the world. It has taken legal action to defend its copyright.

So, did the Government ask permission before using the term? 'It's
not something we are massively worried about,' said a man from the
Cabinet Office grandly.

But 24 hours later it said: 'The use of the term ''skunk works''
in the Cabinet Office Business Plan was a misspelling. The final name
will be decided before the launch.'